Blitzinbandit
Ultimate Bandit Fan
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: Tailgating article |
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Sioux City Journal, Travis Coleman (May. 09, 2008)
Tailgating and the game of football have a long association.
From Ivy League contests in the late 1800s to the World's Largest Cocktail Party before the annual Flordia-Georgia rivalry, partying before the big game takes three things -- friends, food and booze.
The tradition extends to Sioux City Bandits fans such as Bob Taylor who gather in the Tyson Events Center parking lot before home games.
Depending on the weather, maybe even the importance of the game, there could be between 10 and 15 groups tailgating in the parking lot, said Taylor, who has tailgated before Bandits games for about five years.
Before the April 25 home game against the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme, at least five groups braved blustery winds to grill meat and toss the pigskin around in the parking lot. Win or lose, these guys (and a few gals) never miss a home tailgating party.
"It's something fun to do," Taylor said, adding that he's cooked in rain but not snow -- yet.
The Mast family of Sioux City often cooks hamburgers, bratwurst and ribs at the north end of the parking lot. The family cook, Kathy Mast, said she doesn't prepare the food any particular way. The key is to have a lot on hand, as the group can quickly grow to 20 people.
"We just like to get it together," said Kim Mast. "It's just a good fellowship."
Games played to pass the time include a bean-bag toss, beer pong and washer pitching, similar to horseshoes. The time for the Mast crew is long, as they usually arrive around 2:30 p.m. Games kickoff around 7 p.m.
Accounts vary on the origin of tailgating, but some believe it dates to a Rutgers-Princeton college football game in 1869. The celebration extends beyond sport, with tailgating parties for concerts and operas.
Most of those tailgating April 25 were season ticket holders and self-professed Bandit diehards. They're on hand to show their support for the Bandits, and most said tailgating seems to be exclusive to Bandits games.
Tailgater Steve Miller said the parking lot party grows each year. Adults can socialize and have a few beers. And they can bring their children, who'll play football. Miller comes prepared with a portable picnic table he can assemble on site, a component of a mobile setup that also includes a grill and a cooler.
"Win or lose, we're happy," said Tim Mast.
When can you tailgate?
Ready to break out the barbacue, beer and brats? The next Bandits home game is at 7 p.m. Saturday as Sioux City faces off with I-29 rival Omaha. But if you want to tailgate, show up early. Fans start arriving in the Tyson Events Center parking lot around 2:30 p.m.
My question is why in the hell didn't they talk to the Leapzone tailgaters?
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